{blackbabes} Gabrielle Union: 'The Lion Guard' is 'my dream come true'

 

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Pride Rock just got a new defender. Sunday (7 p.m. ET/PT), Disney Channel will debut The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar, a sequel to the 1994 blockbuster animated film The Lion King. The new movie, a precursor to a series due next year, focuses on Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala, whom Simba has tasked to assemble the next Lion Guard — a band of the savanna's best lions charged with protecting the Pride Lands. But Kion deviates from tradition and instead rallies his friends: Bunga, a brave honey badger; Beshte, a formidable hippo; Fuli, a lightning-fast cheetah; and Ono, a keen egret. Gabrielle Union, 43, who voices Nala, spoke to USA TODAY about the new movie and her love affair with the original.

Q: Were you big on the Lion King franchise before this?

A: I'm a huge fan of the movie and the Broadway musical — I've seen it at least four times in different parts of the country — and, I mean, down to the Lion King parade at Disneyland. I was trying to strongly encourage my friends who were dancers, I was like, "You don't need Broadway! You need the Lion King parade!"

Q: How does it feel being a part of 'The Lion Guard' as such a die-hard fan of the original tale?

A: This is my dream come true. I never thought it was going to be something that happened for me. I thought it was going to be something for one of my dancer friends or, you know, someone who could sing, but never really thought that it could be a possibility for me, so this is huge. When they asked if I wanted to be the voice of Nala, I was like, "Hell, yes!"

Q: You typically play characters that pack a sharp punch. Will you be bringing some of that attitude to Nala's character?

A: Well, being that it's for Disney Junior and not for network television at 10:00, yeah, no. She's stern but loving, compassionate and caring. It's definitely not (like) the kind of characters I normally play. She's much more warm and fuzzy.

 

Q: Did you sit around with your husband (NBA player Dwyane Wade) and the kids and binge-watch the old films to prepare for 'The Lion Guard'?

A: No, I don't force them on my work journeys in general. They have homework, D has basketball, and I didn't want to be too influenced by the previous Lion Kings. I really wanted to put my own stamp on Nala 'cause we haven't really seen her quite like this. I wanted a fresh pair of eyes. But we're just bringing the same love of the original production to the table.

Q: What distinguishes 'The Lion Guard' from the previous film?

A: Ooh, we're kind of guarding a lot of that pretty tightly. It's kind of a larger morality tale about people who are destined for greatness, being OK that you're destined for greatness and not being afraid to sort of step up to the plate. I think that's what I can say.

 

Q: What's your hope for the movie?

A: Just providing more family entertainment. You know, sometimes there are things that parents want to watch that kids are too young for, and it can get a little uncomfortable and embarrassing. And then there's kid stuff that (makes) adults kind of cross their eyes. (The Lion Guard is) one of those great, family-friendly projects that everyone can watch together. Everyone can be entertained. Everyone can get a chuckle. Everyone can learn a lesson, and no one will be rolling their eyes.

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